Toy vehicle



July 1, 1952 D. O. DRUGE ET AL TOY VEHICLE Filed May 12, 1948 2 SHEETS -SHEET l 65 nwszvroze.

DANIEL Q. DRUGE. EDWARD J. MITCHELL.

BY mwbcf ATTORNEYS.

y 1952 D. o. DRUGE ETAL 2,601,930

TOY VEHICLE Filed May 12, 1948 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 INVENTOR. DANlEL' o. DRUGE EDWARD J. MITCHELL BY AT TORNEYs Patented July 1, 1952 TOY VEHICLE Daniel 0. Druge, Oakland, and Edward J.

Mitchell, San Lean Druge. Brothers Manu Califi, a corporation of Nevada dro, Calif., assignors facturing 00., Oakland,

Application May 12, 1948, Serial No. 26,518

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a toy vehicle that is similar in appearance and in operation to a Hyster lumber carrying truck. Such truck is adapted to straddle a load of lumber that is supported on a flat or elevated platform. Load lifting elements on the truck then engage the fiat and elevate it with its load of lumber so that theltruck supports the load. The truck then carries the load to the desired unloading point where it releases the fiat, and the load is then again supported on the ground in the same condition as before being transported.

' One of the objects of this invention is the provision of improved means in a toy vehicle of the above character for lifting and for releasing a load.

Another object of the invention is the provision' of simple and improvedmeans in a toy vehicle of the above character'for steering the four wheels'of the same simultaneously. In the full sized tr-ucksor vehicles, the load lifting andsteering mechanisms are necessarily quite complicated and would be prohibitive in expenselin a toy. In the present instance the mechanisms for lifting the load and for steering the. toy vehicle are simple, economical to make and are easy for a child to operatev Other objects and advantages will appear in the description and in the drawings.

Inthe drawings, Fig. l is a side elevational view of a toy vehicle with the steering arrangement indicatedin dash lines where hidden Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line z- -z arms; 1..

Fig. 3 is a sectional. 3- 3 ofFig. 1.

' Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the load elevating system in full line with the outline of the vehicle in dash lines.

Fig. 5 is a perspective viewof one of the flats or platforms from the under side. i

In detail, the vehicle herein illustrated comprises a horizontally disposed oblong frame I that is journalled at each of its four corners for a vertically extending rotary shaft 3. The longitudinally extending sides of the frame are preferably of substantial vertical thickness with the bearing for each shaft .3 extending substantially the full vertical width at each of saidcorners s0 thata substantial bearing. is provided for each shaft 3.

A tubular open ended piece 4 that is formed in simulation of a part of the actual workin truck extends upwardly from each corner of frame I in alignment with each shaft 3, the

view taken along line the same direction;

through bore in each piece 4* being in alignment with thobearing: for each shaft. 3.:

,A screw 5 extends .througheac'htubular piece 4' and is threaded into the upper end of each shaft 3. The upperend of the. bearing for each shaft 3 is of 'reduced'diameter, as at 6, less than the'diameter of each shaft 3, thus providing a shoulder above each shaft. A coil spring 1 reacts between eachshoulder and the upper end of each shaft whereby the frame .l will be sprung on said shafts.

The lower end of each shaft 3 has a down= wardly directed fork thereon. Sides 8 of'each fork have a horizontalaxle'carried thereby at their lower ends, a'nd'a ground wheels is-rotat able on each axle. i i i a The opposed inner side Walls of the bearing at each of the' ends 'of frame i are horizontally slotted (Fig; 2) for a laterally projecting lever arm 15'. When wheels 9 are'in'parallelplanes that are parallel-with the longitudinal axisof a the vehicle, the said pair of arms at each end of the frame are in coaxial'alignment, and are con nected by a link l6 that-is also in alignment with the'lever arms. Each link-l6 is vertically 'piv oted to the end of the frame I at a point centrally between the ends fof' the link, as indicated at'l'8.'

A pin [9 on the outer end of arms l5 that are at each end of the frame I extends vertically through a slot 20 in each outer end of each link It. Slots 2 6 in eachlink extend longitudinally thereof. Q v

The pins {9 that are on the corresponding arms l5 along one of the longitudinal sides of the frame respectively extend through one of the ends of a pair of flat connecting bars 23. These bars extend toward each other from opposite By the abovestructure, revolution of the. gear will result in arms i5 24 on its vertical axis being moved to the dash line position indicated in Fig. 2. When the gear 24 is rotated in one direction the shafts 3 at one end of the frame will be rotated simultaneously withth'e shafts at the opposite end, but in an opposite direction, although the shafts of Thus a short turn maybe made by the vehicle even though the ground Wheels are turned a relatively short; distance." effected by rotation- Y Rotation of gear 24 is each pair will; be rotated of the steering shaft 29 (Fig. l), which shaft is journalled for rotation in a post 30 that is secured to frame I through the medium of a hood portion 32 that is integral with the frame, the post being on said portion. A steering wheel 33 is secured on the upper end of shaft 29, and a gear 34 is secured on the lower end of said shaft with its teeth in mesh with the teeth of gear 24. This steering shaft is inclined to correspond with the inclination of the shaft in the full sized working trucks.

In vehicles of the type simulated by the toy vehicle herein described, a load of stacked lumber is supported on a flat or elevated platform. The vehicle then moves over the load, straddling the same, and load engaging elements carried by the truck engage under the opposite edges of the fiat that extend longitudinally of the vehicle and when these elements are elevated they lift the flat and its load off the ground so they will be carried by the truck.

In the present instance, the load engaging elements comprise a pair of horizontally extending parallel angle strips 40 (Fig. 3). .These strips extend longitudinally of the vehicle, one being below one side frame member and fairly close to the ground, while the other is correspondingly positioned below the other side frame member. Angle strips 40 are so disposed that one of the sides 4| of each is vertical, while the other sides 42 are coplanar and extend toward each other.

A-pair of vertically extendingrods 43 extend vertically upwardly from the ends of each strip 40, and are secured at their lower ends to each side 4|. Rods 43 are slidable vertically in vertical passageways 44 (Fig. 2) that are cast i the side frame members of frame I Centrally between the ends of each strip 40 is a vertically extending load elevating element or member 45. Each rod 45 is secured at its lower end to each strip 40 and slidably extends at itsupper end in a guideway 41 in each side frame member of frame I. These guideways 41' are opposedly opening vertically extending grooves formed on the opposed inner sides of said side frame members.

The upper ends 48 of each rod 45 are bent to extend inwardly toward the center of the vehicle at right angles to the vertical length of each rod (Fig. 3). Journalled for rotation in the side frame members of frame I at points adjacent the upper end portions 48 of rods 45 are opposite ends 49 of a horizontally extending shaft 50. Ends 49 are coaxial and are parallel with the central portion| of shaft 50 but they are offset radially relative to the longitudinal axis of said central portion 5|. Right angle bends 52 connect the end portions 49 with central portion 5|.

The end portions 49 each have a correspondingly positioned laterally projecting member 53 extending radially therefrom below the inturned upper ends 48. When projections 53 are horizontal the right angle bends 52 of shaft 50 are vertical extending downwardly from the central portion 5|.

A handle 54 is secured at one end to the said central portion 5| of shaft 50 and is adapted toyieldably and frictionally. engage in any one of a series of notches 56 formed in one side of a slot 57 in a cross piece 60 that extends between the side frame members and that is integral with the latter. manually swung in one direction, the central When handle 54 is ,vated upon so swinging 4 portion 5| is swung upwardly and the projections 53 will raise the rods 45 with the result that the load engaging strips 4i! will be elevated. When the handle is swung in the opposite direction, the strips will be lowered.

A flat 36 of the type shown in Fig. 5 is suitable for use with the vehicle. ,This flat has portions 53 struck from the same to form means at each end for supporting the flat elevated above the ground. The lumber 64 (Figs. 1, 3)

is stacked on the fiat between upstanding flanges 65 on the latter that project from the side opposite legs or portions 63. The sides 42 of strips 40 will-engage the underside of each fiat below flanges 65 for elevating the flat and lumber thereon. Notches 56 in which handle 54 is yieldably engagedwill hold the flats elevated when a load is lifted by swinging said handle in one direction;

Movement of the handle 54 is indicated in Fig. 4, the full line position'being that in which the load is elevated, whilethe dot position is the one in which the load is released.

While there are other ways of elevating the loadand of steering the vehicle, the structure herein disclosed is preferable. The use of the gears in the steering mechanism permits easier and smoother operation than were the gear'24 to be directly rotated by a steering wheel without the use of gear 34, and also it is preferable that the steering wheel shaft be inclined to follow the standard practice. I

The use of a single lifting rod on each strip is highly desirable, using rods 43 as merely stabilizers. I a

It is to be understood that the detailed description and drawings are not to be considered as being restrictive-of the invention to the precise forms so described and shown, but they are merely illustrative of a preferred form.

We claim: I

1. In a toy vehicle of the character described having ground wheels and parallel'spaced side frame members supported thereby above said wheels, horizontal load engaging strips below each of said frame members and parallel therewith, a shaft extending normal to said frame members. and therebetween and rotatably journalled at its ends insaid frame members, arms projecting from said shaft respectively adjacent said frame .members, verticalrods secured at their lower ends to said load engaging strips centrallybetween the ends thereof, projections on said rods extending over said arms for engagement by said arms upon rotating said shaft in a direction for swinging said arms upwardly whereby said load lifting members will be elevated upon so swinging said arms.

2. In a toy vehicle of the character described having ground wheels and parallel spaced side frame members supported thereby above said wheels, horizontal load engaging strips below each of said frame members and parallel therewith, a shaft extending normal to said frame members and therebetween and rotatably jourframe members, arms nalled at its ends in said projecting from said shaft respectively adjacent said frame members, vertical rods secured at their lower ends to said load engaging strips centrally between the ends thereof, projections on said rods extending over said arms for: engagementby said arms. upon rotating said shaft in a direction for swinging said arms upwardlywhereby said load lifting members will be elesaid arms, vertical guide:

ways on said frame members. in which said rods are reciprocable; and a. lever projecting from said shaft for manually rotatingI the latter..

3. In a toy vehicle. of the character described having ground wheels and parallel spaced side frame members supported thereby above said wheels, horizontal load engagingstrips below each of said frame members. and parallel therewith, .a shaft, extending normal to said. frame members and therebetween and rotatably journalled .at. its ends in .said frame members, arms projecting from said shaft. respectively adjacent said frame members, vertical rods secured 'at their "lower ends to said lead engaging strips, projections on said rods extending over said arms for engagement by said arms upon rotating said shaft in a direction for swinging said arms upwardly whereby said load lifting members will be elevated upon so swinging said arms, said rods being positioned substantially centrally between the ends of said frame members and said load lifting strips, and vertical rods at the ends of said strips extending upwardly therefrom, bearings on said frame members in which said last mentioned rods are vertically reciprocable.

4. In a toy vehicle of the character described having ground wheels supporting a frame for movement over the ground, said frame having parallel, spaced, opposed side frame members, a

pair'of parallel, spaced, opposed load lifting strip members below said side frame members, a pair of vertical rods respectively secured at their lower ends to said strips at points centrally between the ends of the latter and projecting upwardly therefrom, crank arms connected with the upper ends of said rods for elevating said rods upon rotation of said crank arms, a shaft journalled at its ends in said frame members for rotation, said crank arms being secured to said shaft adjacent its ends for revolution about the axis of said shaft upon rotation of the latter, and a lever secured to said shaft for rotating the latter.

5. A toy vehicle of the character described comprising, a horizontal, oblon frame providing side members and end members and having vertical shafts journalled therein at the four corners of said frame for rotation and reciprocation; ground engaging wheels on the lower ends of said shaft and below said frame supporting said frame for movement over the ground, a pair of parallel, spaced, opposed, load lifting members extending longitudinally of and below said side members respectively, a pair of Vertically extending lifting elements respectively secured at their lower ends to said load lifting members centrally between the ends of the latter, and manually actuatable means carried on said frame and connected with said lifting elements for causing vertical reciprocation of the latter upon actuation of said means, a link at each end of said frame extending between the shafts at said end centrally secured to each end of said frame for swinging horizontally about its center, arms secured to the shafts at each end of said frame projecting toward each other and pivotally connected at their outer ends to the ends of said link, a pair of bars respectively pivotally connected at one of their ends to each of said links at one of the corresponding sides thereof relative to its central pivotal point and extending toward each other, a rotor at one side of the longitudinal axis of said frame and spaced between the ends thereof supported for rotation about a vertical axis, the adjacent ends of said bars being pivotally connected to said rotor at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of thelatter, and'a steering wheel operatively connected with said rotor for rotating the'same on'its 'axi'si i 6. A toy'vehicle' of the character described comprising, a horizontal, oblong frame providing side members and end members and having've'rtical shaftsjournalled therein at the four corners of said'frame forrotation and. reciprocation; ground engaging wheels on the lower ends of said shaft and below said frame. supporting saidframefor movement over the ground, a pair of parallel, spaced, opposed, load lifting members extending longitudinallyof and below said side members respectively, apair of vertically extending lifting elements respectively secured at their lower ends to'said load lifting members centrally between the ends of the latter, and manually actuatable means carried on said frame and connected with said lifting elements for causing vertical reciprocation of the latter upon actuation of said means, a link at each end of said frame extending between the shafts at said ends centrally secured to each end of said frame for swinging horizontally about its center, arms secured to the shafts at each end of said frame projecting toward each other and pivotally connected at their outer ends to the ends of said link, a pair of bars respectively pivotally connected at one of their ends to each of said links at one of the corresponding sides thereof relative to its central pivotal point and extending toward each other, a rotor at one side of the longitudinal axis of said frame and spaced between the ends thereof supported for rotation about a vertical axis, the adjacent ends of said bars being pivotally connected to said rotor at opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the latter, and a steering wheel operatively connected with said rotor for rotating the same on its axis, said rotor being a bevel gear, a rotatable steering post on said steering wheel and a ,bevel gear on said post having its teeth in mesh with the teeth of said rotor.

'7. A toy vehicle of the character described comprising, a horizontal, oblong frame providing side members and end members and having vertical engaging wheels on the lower ends of said shaft and below said frame supporting said frame for movement over the ground, a pair of parallel, spaced, opposed, load lifting members extending longitudinally of and below said side members respectively, a pair of vertically extending lifting elements respectively secured at their lower ends to said load lifting members centrally between the ends of the latter, and manually actua table means carried on said frame and connected with said liftin elements for causing vertical reciprocation of the latter upon actuation of said means, a link ate'ach end of said. frame extending between the shafts at said ends centrally secured to each end of said frame for swinging horizontally about its center, arms secured to the shafts at each end of said frame projecting toward each other and pivotally connected at their outer ends to the ends of said link, 'a pair of bars respectively pivotally connected at one of their ends to each of said links at; one of the corresponding sides thereof relative to its central pivotal point and extending toward each other, a rotor at one side of the longitudinal axis of said frame and spaced between the ends thereof supported for rotation about a vertical axis, the adjacent ends of said bars being pivotally connected to said rotor at opposite sides 7 of the axis of rotation of the latter, and a steer- REFERENCES CITED mg wheel operatively connected with Said rotor The following references are of record in the for rotating the same on its axis, said manually file of this patent: actuatable means including a; spring handle for Y manual grasping for actuating said means, means 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS mounting said handle for swinging abouta hori- Number Name Date zontal axis that is normal to the axis of said 1,457,025 Gerlinger May 29, 1923 frame, and a plurality of projections positioned 1,640,718 Oetzen Aug. 30, 1927 for yieldable enjoyment with said arm upon 1,798,412 Grab Mar. 31, 1931 swinging the latter for holding said arm at dif- 10 2,172,416 Swenson Sept. 12, 1939 ferent positions in its movement about said axis. 2,191,184 Voorheis Feb. 20, 1940 r 2,410,965 Dimick Nov. 12, 1946 DANIEL O. 'DRUGE. 2,447,959 Phillips et a1. Aug. 24, 1948 EDWARD J MITCHELL. 2,502,843 Hillard June 28, 1948 

